TJX Store Workers Wearing Body Cameras

Hourly retail security workers are now wearing police-like body cameras at stores operated by TJX Cos.(Framingham, Mass.), report a variety of news sources, including CNN.com.

TJX CFO John Klinger disclosed the body-camera use at some of the chain’s TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods units during a recent earnings call.

“It’s almost like a de-escalation, where people are less likely to do something when they’re being videotaped,” Klinger said.

TJX has company in exploring the use of such systems, CNN notes, pointing to a survey of major chains by the National Retail Federation last year that found 35% of U.S. retailers said they were researching body cameras for employees. In addition, the maker of Taser devices and other security companies are now designing and marketing body cameras specifically for retail workers.

Although retailers say they’re looking to cut down on costly merchandise loss and keep stores safe, outfitting workers with body cameras may do little to stop shoplifting, some criminologists say. Worker advocates say improved training, better staffing levels in stores and other safety investments will go further to protect frontline workers and reduce shoplifting.

TJX is one of the few retailers speaking publicly about body cameras and posting job openings with specific details of the cameras in position descriptions.

Such video systems are the latest in a slew of security measures retailers are taking, including locking up products behind glass cases and removing self-checkout stations, CNN notes. Retailers are also working more closely with law enforcement and devoting more internal resources to investigating theft.